Sailing In Dublin

Safety Training July 2008

Keelboat safety course was run over two evenings on Obsession.
Attendees: Ann, Cearbhall, Damien, Donal, Martina, Peter
Trainer: Charlie Kavanagh South East Cruising School

Safety Audit

Policies and Procedures

Safety Briefings

All crew should be briefed on safety if it is their first time on the boat this season.

Lifejackets
Lifelines.
Hazzards (Winches, Boom, Mainsheets)
Dressing Appropriately

Weather

Captain should have most up to date forecast before sailing.
Boat should not sail in winds stronger then F5.
Spinnaker should not be flown in winds stronger then F4.
Reduce sail earlier rather than later

Life Jackets

Must always be worn on deck.
Crotch strap should be closed.
Must be worn outside all clothing
Everybody should be familiar with automatic gas inflation/manual inflation/inflation by mouth tube.

Lifelines

Crew must be aware where these are stored.
Crew must clip on at night.
Crew must clip on if alone above deck.
Crew must clip on if weather stonger than F5.
Crew must clip on if requested by captain.
Crew must be clipped on if feeling sea sick
Crew must be clipped on working on foredeck in rough seas.

Heavy Weather

Dealing with Leaks

Fog & Collision Avoidance

Engine Failure

Sure...it always happens in tight situations close to the rocks, pier, beach, expensive big commercial boats, ferry channel, strong tides, heavy winds, no winds, bad visibility etc. in situations were you depend/need the engine.

Be prepared

Know where your 'tools' are.
Know that you have spare fuel on board and know where it is stored - it's the most common reason why engines stop.
Know the basics of how an engine works.
Know where the engine troubleshooting book is.
Know where your anchor is and make sure that the end is fixed to the boat and ready to use.
Know how much time you need to launch the inflatable.
Know where the bucket is
Have warps ready

What to do when the engine fails ?

Check situation

Look around and ask yourself : "Do I have time to check the engine in this situation ?"

If 'Yes' :

Check fuel, and refuel if not sure. start engine. if it won't start try it a few times more and if still not starting vent the fuel system.start.
Is there an air leak ? in fuel - water - oil system
Check if dirt/plastic bag is floating around the stern blocking the water inlet from outside, remove with boat hook if possible.
Visual check of engine room with torch. check fuel lines, is there a leak ? crack? are all tubes/hoses still connected. something loose, broken. is there a spare part on board, somebody else should always keep watch on deck and raise alarm early.

If 'No' :

Dop anchor.
Pick up a mooring buoy.
Tie alongside some other fixed boat.
Is there enough wind to hoist the mainsail to sail to the next safe fixing point/ guest pier?
Launch inflatable dinghy and row with long warps to pier, mooring etc. fix it there and pull with help from winches towards safe mooring/pier etc.
Throw the bucket on a long line as far as you could in the direction where you want to go from the bow, sure the other end should be fixed on the boat, let the bucket fill with water and pull yourself towards safe area. - be aware that this is only possible in no wind, no tide against you and calm sea.
Get a tow from a nearby boat but use your own warp otherwise the other boat maybe allowed to claim salvage (probaly not common in Ireland but could happen everywhere else).
Call for help on VHF.

Dismasting

Grounding

MOB Manouvres

Shout and Point
Immediately Heave-To
Throwline - Horseshoe Boy
Radio - Mayday
GPS-MOB Button
Tell crew whether we will sail or motor
Tell casualty plan if possible

Under Sail

RYA Method

Bear away to broad reach
Tack and come back full and bye

ISA Method

Bear away to beam reach
Tack and drop down wind
Luff up to full and bye

Final Approach

Helm stays to leeward.
Keep casualty on one side of boat
De-Power jib
Trim main directly from sheets to control speed
Stop head to wind
Pick up casualty on Leeward Aft quarter
Drop sails if necessary

Under Power

Start Engine
Drop headsail
Make sure there are no sheets/throwline in water to foul prop.
Pull Main in tight and centre it
Motor in a semi circle Downwind.
Use windex to judge approach...when it points at the casualty head up.
Approach head to wind
Control speed.
Turn engine off as you come along side
Pick up casualty on Leeward Aft quarter
Drop mainsail if necessary

Notes
Under sail may be faster if you have a competent crew.
Power is easier if you do not have experienced crew.
Practice, Practice, Practice

MOB Recovery

Casualty should be brought in over aft leeward quarter.
Our guard rail is attached with a cord which can quickly be cut.

Boarding Ladder

Ladder suspended from winch over aft leeward quarter

Result: Lightweight Obsession ladder is of limited use. Larger fender type ladder much better.

Hoist using Storm Jib

Need to attach luff of sail to the rail and winch in the clew.
Need a jib with hanks or cringles to attach to rail.

Result: Obsession Storm Jib not suitable

Hoist using main sheet block

Top of mainsheet block attached to casualty in water.
Bottom of block attached to main halyard.
Halyard puled tight. mainsheet used to hoist casualty.

Result: Effective but painful.